311 receives thousands of calls over sick coyote
Posted July 4, 2016 4:18 pm.
Last Updated July 5, 2016 9:36 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A sickly coyote roaming in the city’s east end has prompted thousands of calls to 3-1-1 from concerned residents.
According to police, the coyote was spotted over the long weekend relaxing on a driveway and walking around the block on Military Trail.
Toronto police issued a public safety alert last week fearing that the animal may have a brain disease and could be dangerous if approached. The coyote is likely suffering from mange (which causes hair loss) and an injured left shoulder.
“He had some pinks spots. Wounds on his back and then down his leg,” Nayland Moll, who spotted the animal this weekend, explained. “He was watching me, watching him and I was watching him, watching me.”
“We’ve had coyotes before but they usually stick down by the bush. But this one is wounded and he’s wandering around,” he continued.
Some area residents said they are frightened to go outside. Many have called Toronto Animal Services and Toronto Wildlife about the animal.
Despite several attempts to contact authorities, residents say they have yet to see any officials placing traps to try and capture the animal.
Natalie Karvonen from Toronto Wildlife Centre said the coyote is not a danger to the public. Karvonen said the only way coyote will have a brain disease is if it had rabies, and coyotes in Canada don’t get rabies.
